Norwegian NOC: Olympic Games in Norway Shall Be Based on Human Rights.

March 14, 2014 08:34 AM Eastern Daylight Time

OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A unique agreement was signed on Thursday 13th of March by
The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), The Confederation of
Unions for Professionals (Unio), The Confederation of Vocational Unions
(YS), The Confederation of Unions for Academics (Akademikerne), and The
Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports
(Norwegian NOC).

The agreement highlights the values and rules that the parties to the
agreement believe should apply if Norway are to host the Olympic and
Paralympics Games in 2022. If Norway and Oslo are awarded these Olympic
and Paralympic Games, the parties to the agreement will contribute to
create Games that are characterized by companionship, tolerance,
openness and fantastic Olympic experiences for everyone involved.

The agreement underlines that the values of freedom, equality and
openness should be at centre stage in international sports events in
Norway. If given the chance, Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in
Norway in 2022 represents a unique opportunity to promote and protect
these values.

- The Norwegian NOC are very proud of the partnership we’ve
established with the four Unions. We want Olympic and Paralympic Games
in Norway, including the Youth Olympic Games in 2016, to be remembered
as Games that truly respects human rights and labor rights. We want to
contribute to secure employees fair working conditions and make
sustainable Games, and we strongly believe that by emphasizing these
values we will contribute to create and secure truly memorable and
historic experiences for athletes, spectators, volunteers and corporate
partners, says the NOC President, Mr. Børre Rognlien

- Preparation, planning and implementation of Olympic and Paralympic
Games in Norway must be conducted in a way that ensures full respect for
human and trade union rights andsustainable development for the
climate and the environment. Economic, social and ethical considerations
must be addressed. We will work to ensure that Olympic and Paralympic
Games in Norway will set a high standard for how major sports events
should be prepared and implemented, says the union representatives.

Gerd Kristiansen - The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions

Anders Folkestad - The Confederation of Unions for Professionals

Jorunn Berland - The Confederation of Vocational Unions

Knut Aarbakke - The Confederation of Unions for Academics

Børre Rognlien - The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and
Confederation of Sports